ANC happy truth about Albert Luthuli’s death finally out

The African National Congress (ANC) said while there may be no one left to hold accountable for the death of its former president-general, Chief Albert Luthuli, it’s happy the truth is finally out.

On Thursday, the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg handed down judgment, confirming that Luthuli was assaulted to death by apartheid police officers.

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The court also set aside the 1967 inquest into Luthuli’s death that said he died as a result of being struck by a goods train.

Prior to his death, Luthuli had won the Nobel Peace Prize, had a personal visit by Senator Robert F Kennedy and was involved in underground work for the banned ANC.

ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal convenor, Jeff Radebe, said Luthuli’s growing influence, both domestic and internationally, angered the apartheid government.

Radebe said the party always knew Luthuli was killed for his role in the country’s fight for freedom.

“The apartheid regime was really a crime against humanity. All those cruel murders perpetrated against our leaders and our people, we need to know the actual truth and what transpired.”

During Thursday’s handing down of the ruling, Judge Nompumelelo Hadebe said that the people responsible for Luthuli’s death cannot be brought to justice, as they have either died or cannot be found by police.

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